Message 42

What is a spot on review? A review you agree with after viewing the film <laugh>

I'm happy with Mr Kermode. He never says that a film is *rubbish* but will say something like *It's a perfectly good film if you like that sort of thing*. He also takes his child to see children oriented films and reports their opinions about watching. Something I've never seen Wossy do.

MK leaves you to make up your own mind rather just tell you that a film isn't worth watching.

He also has a problem with digital multiplexes and the volume of sound and/or clarity of the projected image and tells cinema managers what he thinks. Something I think we should all do if our filmic experience is sub-standard.

Message 43

Like others here, I find that often whether I like a film or not has little to do with what Mark Kermode thinks of it. I thought that Pan's Labyrinth with the fascist knocking out people's teeth with his pistol rather revolting while Kermode liked it. He and Mayo also always put a little push of religion into the show - I don't think that BBC programmes are for pushing personal agenda. (Mayo's 'light hearted' interjections seem to me very forced and universally superfluous but let's keep to films.) I also like the Curse of the Black Pearl quite a lot, as a good bit of light entertainment. Kermode thinks that films are for making cash, I think they are for entertainment.

So while his opinions on films are not very relevant for me, the other side of the coin is that I enjoy his contribution on Fridays, because he puts his own idiosyncratic viewpoint, and just wish that they would shorten it to one hour and leave Mayo DeeJaying on the children's channel.

Message 45

Sorry if I over-reacted a wee bit too much earlier on; I've calmed down now!But, as I said, Mark is a pal; and you have to stay loyal to your pals, don't you?

Although my post was deleted, it was nice that my Nemesis, MsA, quoted it in full in her reply!

If you see this, MsA...I apologise for my strident tone; that's not usually my tone of voice.I hope we can still be friends. Of course I accept your apology. I would have defended a friend of mine too. My original post was slightly "off the cuff" and not meant to be a vitriolic criticism of Mark Kermode. But I can see that it could be read that way. Still friends....

Message 46

It's good to see other film critics being given a chance. Kermode is a remarkably a poor judge of films. However, somewhere along the line, he seems to have persuaded the BBC that he is the oracle. I think they have been taken in by that faux intellectual quiff and glasses look he favours. Kermode is quintessentially BBC material. All that coolness, that crazy haircut and trendy clothing. I can almost feel the "uber" word coming on... It's all froth and no substance I'm afraid. Give me Barry Norman any day. Or, indeed, anyone else. I cannot stand poseurs. 'Quintessentially BBC material'.....? The man just does not 'cut the mustard' as far as film reviews are concerned PERIOD. He is just a poseur and I am surprised that anyone can think that, by a crazy haircut and 'trendy' clothing he should be considered BBC material!! I believe that he is making himself look silly - whether he realises this I cannot tell so I err on the side of compassion for him. I live and breathe films (have done for nearly 60 years) and I know a genuine film critic when I see or hear one - this chap, doctor or whatever he calls himself, is not a film critic. An entertainer of sorts maybe but NOT a film critic. BBC take note!

Message 47

He got his PhD from the University of Manchester, and is a visiting fellow at the University of Southampton. He is a full member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. He writes for the British Film Institute, and if he ever runs into trouble, he can always ask his wife for advice.

Message 49

'Quintessentially BBC material'.....? The man just does not 'cut the mustard' as far as film reviews are concerned PERIOD. He is just a poseur and I am surprised that anyone can think that, by a crazy haircut and 'trendy' clothing he should be considered BBC material!! I believe that he is making himself look silly - whether he realises this I cannot tell so I err on the side of compassion for him. I live and breathe films (have done for nearly 60 years) and I know a genuine film critic when I see or hear one - this chap, doctor or whatever he calls himself, is not a film critic. An entertainer of sorts maybe but NOT a film critic. BBC take note!

So if we find someone who's been living and breathing films for nearly 70 years then his or her opinion would outrank yours, would it?

Message 50

It would appear that my opening post has actually generated both a bit of controversy and debate about this particular subject matter, which is very good.

I personally have absolutely nothing against Mark Kermode per se and, furthermore, I do actually consider him to be a extremely good, and very knowledgeable, film critic / reviewer.

I would, however, like to see The Film Review Programme not always have the same film critic on the show each week. For it would be both nice and refreshing to hear the views and opinions from a different person occasionally, other than Mark Kermode.

Furthermore, I also do like to hear the comments from a lady as well, as this whole profession tends to be a bit too male dominated in my opinion.

I thought that Anna Smith was very good, but I also like to hear Antonia Quirke who use to regularly appear on Radio Four's The Film Programme, although I haven't actually heard her on the show that recently.

As for Film 2013 I do enjoy listening to Danny Leigh, but as for Claudia Winkleman I do generally find her views to be a bit too lightweight for my own personal liking.

Message 52

Once again it is very pleasing to see the competent Anna Smith filling in for the regular Mark Kermode, as the film critic / reviewer, on this evening's The Film Review Programme.

I just wish that Anna could now replace the rather hopeless Claudia Winkleman, when the BBC's so-called flagship film review show, Film 2013, actually returns to BBC One, next Wednesday night, commencing at 23.05.

Message 53

Once again it is very pleasing to see the competent Anna Smith filling in for the regular Mark Kermode, as the film critic / reviewer, on this evening's The Film Review Programme.

I just wish that Anna could now replace the rather hopeless Claudia Winkleman, when the BBC's so-called flagship film review show, Film 2013, actually returns to BBC One, next Wednesday night, commencing at 23.05.

www.bbc.co.uk/progra...For me, the question of a host of Film [YEAR] is moot. From the time Jonathan Ross was in the chair, it was shunted to a twilight hour, and taken off the air for weeks, as if there are periods when no films are released! That trend has continued, and now looks really stupid, because the programme is off the air at a time of major releases.

If what was once the flagship film review programme can't remain on air every week, and be at a reasonable time, it should be put out of its misery, which I suspect is what the BBC want to do anyway.

Message 54

It was really good to see the competent Anna Smith back again and filling in for the regular Mark Kermode, as the film critic / reviewer, on this week's edition The Film Review programme, aired on the BBC News channel.

I also beleive that they should, now, use both Anna and Jason Solomons far more frequently as the host film critic, on this particular, 15 minute, movie review show.

BBC links

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